Wine Review South Africa: Graham Weerts of Capensis

COVID series, recorded 2020Hailing from Cape Town, Graham Weerts' journey into winemaking was as natural as the flow of the vine. Raised amidst the city's vibrant culture and nurtured by a deep-seated agricultural heritage, Graham's path to winemaking was almost predestined. For him, winemaking isn't just a career; it's a fusion of his love for the outdoors, his agricultural roots, and his thirst for creative expression and intellectual challenge. To Graham, wine stands unparalleled in its complexity and artistic depth, serving as a universal language that transcends cultural divides. As he aptly puts it, "few wars were started over a great bottle of wine."Graham's foray into winemaking began with humble roots, working harvests in South Africa before transitioning from vineyard to cellar, honing his craft as a cellar hand and later as an assistant winemaker at Mulderbosch Vineyards. His quest for knowledge took him across continents, earning a degree in viticulture, wine science, and pomology from Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch in 1996.Venturing further afield, Graham found himself in California's Sonoma County, immersing himself in the art of winemaking at Vérité. His return to South Africa saw him crafting wines for several smaller wineries before joining Bellingham Winery. By 2004, Graham's journey led him back to California, where he served as winemaker for Stonestreet in Alexander Valley until 2014. Today, in addition to his role in crafting Capensis, Graham oversees vineyard operations for Jackson Family Wines, a testament to his enduring passion for the vine.Capensis represents more than just a wine; it's a homecoming for Graham, a celebration of his South African roots and the culmination of a lifelong journey dedicated to crafting wines of exceptional quality and character. Join us as we explore Graham Weerts' remarkable odyssey and the wines that embody his enduring connection to his homeland.